Tissue dispensing device



Feb. 15, 1966 R. s. PLATT 3,235,196

TISSUE DISPENSING DEVICE Filed May 5, 1963 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

INVENTOR. RAYMOND S. PLATT ATTORNEYS Feb. 15, 1966 R. s. PLATT TISSUE DISPENSING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 5, 1963 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEYS Feb. 15, 1966 R. S. PLATT Filed May 5, 1963 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 3

Rk L +3 s l g 5 7, 2o \fif? 5 4 62"; 4 46" N l Jr 1 W x W84 80 g0 INVENTOR RAYMOND 5. PLATT BY 4% s w ATTORNEYS United States Patent M 3,235,196 TlSSUE DISPENSING DEVICE Raymond S. Flatt, Rte. 1, Box 334, Berrien Springs, Mich. Filed May 3, 1963, Ser. No. 277,874 7 (Ilainns. (Ci. 242-5553) The present invention relates to a tissue dispensing device and more particularly to a combination dispenser for rolled tissue paper and a receptacle for used tissue.

In the last few years, paper tissue, paper toweling and the like have become extensively used for a large variety of purposes, and various types of dispensers have been devised for holding the tissue and providing a leading edge thereof which can be easily grasped and used to tear or pull the desired size pieces of tissue from the dispenser. The facial tissue is almost wholly in folded precut leaf form and can conventiently be pulled from the dispenser only in separate sheets or leaves or in bunches of sheets or leaves, which are often unsatisfactory where flat or orderly arranged sheets are necessary or desirable. Rolls of tissue or paper toweling which are often used in the kitchen andbathroom are almost universally dispensed from a permanently fixed holder, either in the form of a roller or reel on which the tissue roll is rotatably mounted or in the form of a recess or chamber which is mounted on the wall and from which the tissue and toweling are pulled and torn off at the desired length. While the dispensers for the precut folded sheet-type tissue are usually portable and easily carried from place to place, the dispensers for the tissue and toweling rolls are mounted on the wall or other permanent supporting structure, and hence are not readily movable to various places as needed, nor adapted to be placed on a dressing stand, shelf or night or work table. This has tended to limit the use of the roll-type tissue to places where a dispenser can be conveniently and permanently installed, leaving the precut folded type for uses requiring it to be carried with the person from place to place and in less permanent locations. Since the rolled type of tissue is generally less expensive and more satisfactory for a variety of different uses, it is one of the principal objects of the present inven tion to provide an easily portable and attractive dispenser for rolled tissue and the like, which is so constructed and designed that the tissue roll can readily and conveniently be inserted in the dispenser and theretfter sections of the tissue of any desired length easily removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively simple and compact dispenser for rolled tissue which completely encloses the tissue roll with the exception of the free end, yet which provides an easy means for readily determining at a glance the amount of tissue remaining on the roll.

One of the problems often encountered in using the portable tissue dispensers is disposal of the used tissue, since a waste basket or other refuse receptacle is often not readily available or, if it is, the used tissue is often exposed and hence unsightly. It is therefore one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a receptacle in conjunction with the dispensing device for the used tissue, which forms an integral part of the device and which can be readily checked to determine the amount of used tissue therein and, if required thereafter, easily emptied.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a combination tissue dispenser for tissue on a roll with a hollow center and a receptacle for used tissue, which is so constructed that the device itself forms an indicator for signalling when the receptacle is approaching its capacity, and in which the hollow center of the roll serves as the opening for inserting the used tissue in the receptacle.

A further object is to provide a dispenser of the aforesaid type which is adapted to receive a standard roll of 3,235,196 Patented F eh. 15, 1966 toilet tissue and to dispense the tissue therefrom, either through the top without rotation of the (P011 or through the side thereof where small sections of any desired length can be easily torn from the strip of tissue being unreeled from the roll.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination dispenser for rolled tissue and a receptacle for used tissue in which the receptacle for the used tissue is expandable to accommodate varying quantities of discarded used tissue, and which is provided with a means for compacting or pressing the used tissue firmly into the receptacle to effectively utilize the entire capacity thereof.

Another object is to provide a dispenser and receptacle of the aforesaid type which can be carried with the person from place to place and particularly in an automobile where it is important to be able to conveniently remove a section of tissue from the roll and then. dispose of the used section, using only one hand for the complete operation.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of the present combination rolled tissue dispenser and receptacle;

FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the rolled tissue dispenser and receptacle shown in FIGURE l;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the present dispenser and receptacle shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the section being taken on line 33 of FIGURE 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a horizontal cross sectional View of the combination dispenser and receptacle shown in the. preceding figures, the section being taken on line 44 of FIGURE 3.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, numeral 10 designates generally the present dispenser and receptacle combination, numeral 12 the dispenser portion thereof and numeral 14 the receptacle portion thereof, the receptacle portion forming a base for the dispenser portion. While the present device is designed primarily for holding a roll of standard toilet tissue, it may be varied to hold a larger or smaller roll of paper, such as paper toweling, and hence may be substantially taller than the unit shown in the drawings and/ or larger in diameter.

The dispenser portion 12 consists of a cylindrical side wall 2t? having a round open top 22 defined by an in,- ternally extending flange 24 with a rolled edge 26 thereon projecting inwardly to provide a smooth inner edge on the flange. The cylindrical side wall is shown tapered siightly inwardly and upwardly primarily for the purpose of providing an attractive appearance to the overall construction of the device. The roll of tissue, designated by numeral 30, is inserted in dispenser 12 with the axis of tube 32 thereof vertically positioned and at the center of the dispenser. Upper and lower end members 34 and 36 of identical construction are secured to the upper and lower ends of roll 30 by internally extending prongs 37, 38, 39 and 4t), which are adapted to slip into the roll between the outer wall of tube 32 and the inner layer of the tissue wound thereon. While four prongs are shown on end plates 34 and 36, a different number of prongs may be used if desired and a thin annular ring may be substituted therefor. Each plate is provided with a center hole 42 having rounded edges 44 for presenting a smooth surface when the used tissue is being inserted in, for example, the top end plate 34, as will be more fully described hereinafter. The prongs are secured to the end plate adjacent hole 42 but spaced outwardly therefrom sufliciently to provide a shoulder 46 for seating against the respective end of tube 32. The outer edge of the disc-shaped end plates is provided with an annular 3,2 3 flange 48 extending toward the roll, and the periphery of each plate is spaced inwardly from flange 24 to provide an annular space 50 between the periphery and flange 24 of side wall 20.

The lower end plate 36 seats on a partition 60 interposed between the lower edge of dispenser 12 and the upper edge of receptacle 14, the partition consisting of an annular body portion 62 having an annular flange 64 for engaging the upper edge of the receptacle and the lower edge of the dispenser and an internal annular flange 66 disposed at the lower edge of body 62 for receiving end plate 36 and supporting the roll of tissue 36) thereon. End plate 36 is centered on the partition by vertically extending side wall 68 of body 62 and merely rests on internal flange 66 and is readily removed therefrom when the roll is lifted from dispenser 12.

Side wall 249 of dispenser 12 contains a plurality of spaced slots '70 through which the free end of the tissue layers extends to permit the user to pull from the dispenser the length of layer desired and then conveniently tear the layer from the remainder of the roll by a rapid movement, either upwardly or downwardly, in which the layer engages one side of slot 70. The point 72 in the upper portion of slot '79 or point 74 in the lower portion of the slot punctures and/or creases the paper at that point, permitting it to be easily severed from the remainder of the roll. In the center portion of slot 70 is an enlarged round portion or hole 76, which is provided to permit the user to insert his finger when the roll is being initially inserted and reach the free end of the outer tissue layer and pull the end through slot 7%, thus permitting the user to easily pull the layer from the roll of tissue.

Another important feature of the present dispenser and receptacle is the receptacle portion 14 forming the base of the device. This receptacle is formed by a substantially cylindrically-shaped wall 30 and closed bottom 82, which form a confined, completely enclosed area with the exception of a plurality of spaced slots 84 in the side walls thereof, and the opening through end plates 34 and 36 and tube 32. The used tissue is inserted in the chamber 88 of the receptacle by pressing it downwardly through opening 42 in upper end plate 34, tube 32 and the corresponding opening 42. in lower end plate 36. As the used tissue is pressed downwardly into chamber 88, it en ages a lug or baffle 90 which deflects the tissue laterally so that it will not initially be piled or packed directly below the opening through tube 32 and thereby prevent complete filling of chamber 88.

In the use and operation of the present combination dispenser and receptacle, upper and lower end plates 34 and 36 are secured to opposite ends of a standard roll of toilet tissue with prongs 37, 38, 39 and 40 seating in the ends of the roll between the external surface of tube 32 and the inner layer or layers of the tissue. After the end plates have been secured to the roll, the roll with the end plates is inserted in dispenser 12 and the free end of the outer layer of the tissue is threaded through one of slots 70. Thereafter, the user merely pulls the layer of tissue through the slot and then pulls it diagonally upwardly or downwardly, causing it to engage the side of the slot and to be severed from the remainder of the roll at the perforations in the tissue. A small portion of the attached layer remains projecting outwardly after the section is torn, thus permitting the layer to be easily grasped when the next piece is to be removed from the roll. As the paper tissue is pulled through the slot, the roll and two end plates rotate together and lower end plate 36 slides on annular flange 66 as it is rotated. In the present construction, the free end of the roll may be threaded upwardly through space Sil and removed from the roll by merely pulling the layer upwardly through the space, as the roll and end plates rotate, thus permitting long sections to be readily removed from the roll and torn therefrom at any convenient length.

After the tissue has been removed from the roll and used, it may readily be disposed of by pushing it dowrn wardly through opening 42 in end plate 34, through tube 32 and opening 42 in lower end plate 36 where it falls into chamber 83. As the used material is pressed downwardly through tube 32, it is compressed and compacted by insertion of more used tissue in the tube, and thence drops into chamber 88 where it is deflected by baflle 9il as the roll and end plates are rotated, thus distributing the used material evenly throughout the chamber. As the used tissue continues to accumulate in chamber 8?, it may eventually become completely filled. Thereafter, additional tissues forced downwardly through tube 32 will cause roll 30 and the upper and lower end plates to be displaced upwardly in dispenser 12, thereby causing the roll to project upwardly over the top of side wall 25) and signal to the user that chamber 88 is reaching lts full capacity and should be emptied.

As previously pointed out, the present dispenser and receptacle may be used for various materials, including napkins, and may be varied in size and capacity to meet the requirements for various sized rolls for the dispenser and to satisfy requirements with respect to disposal of the used tissue. Various other changes and modifications may be made to suit requirements without departing from the scope of the invention.

I claim: I v, H

1. A combination dispenser fdi rolled tissue with a tubular core and a receptacle for used tissue, e im-p'r snig a cylindrical side wall forming a container fotthe rolled tissue and having a round open top, a plurality f 2 1g zag vertically positioned slots in said side wall of a leiigtli substantially equal to the width tit the rolled tissue, pair of disc-shaped end plates for the fol having a hole in the center of substantially the same size it} the hold through said core, a plurality of spaced prongs on eadli oi said end plates adjacent the edge of the respective center hole therein, but spaced outwardly therefrom to form a shoulder for the end of said core, for extending into said rolled tissue between said core and the inner layer oi? tissue, said end plates being of smaller diameter than the opening in the top of said container to provide an annular dispenser slot therein, a cylindrical side wall and a bottom forming a used tissue chamber and supporting said dispenser thereon, a tissue deflector in said chamber, and a partition disposed between said chamber and said dispenser having an annular flange projecting inwardly for receiving one of said end plates ands'upporting said roll of tissue above said chamber with the chamber in communication with the opening through said core.-

2. A combination dispenser for rolled tissue with a tubular core and a receptacle for used tissue, 'cofrip'ris'ing a substantially cylindrical side wall defining a round open= ing at the top and forming a container for the rolled tissue, a plurality of spaced substantially vertically posi tioned slots in said side wall, a pair of disc-shaped end plates for the roll and having a hole in the center of sub" stantially the same size as the hole through said core, a plurality of spaced prongs on each of said end plates adjacent the edge of the respective center hole therein, but spaced outwardly therefrom to form a shoulder for the end of said core, for extending into said rolled tissue between said core and the inner layer of tissue, a substantially cylindrical side wall and a bottom forming a used tissue chamber and supporting said dispenser thereon, and means disposed between said chamber and said dispenser having means projecting inwardly for receiving one of said end plates and supporting said roll of tissue above said chamber with the chamber in communication with the opening through said core.

3. A combination dispenser for rolled tissue with a hollow center and a receptacle for used tissue, comprising a substantially cylindrical side wall defining a round. opening at the top and forming a container for the rolled tissue, a plurality of spaced substantially vertically positioned slots in said side wall, a pair of disc-shaped end plates adapted to be secured to the ends of the rolled tissue and having a hole in the center of substantially the same size as the hollow center of said rolled tissue, said end plates being of smaller diameter than the opening in the top of said container to provide an annular dispenser slot therein, a substantially cylindrical side wall and a bottom forming a used tissue chamber and supporting said dispenser thereon, and a means disposed between said chamber and said dispenser having means projecting inwardly for receiving one of said end plates and supporting said roll of tissue above said chamber with the chamber in communication with the opening through said core.

4. A combination dispenser for rolled tissue with a hollow center and a receptacle for used tissue, comprising a substantially cylindrical side wall forming a container for the rolled tissue, a plurality of spaced substantially vertically positioned slots in said side wall, a pair of disc-shaped end plates adapted to be secured to the ends of the rolled tissue and movable therewith and having a hole in the center of substantially the same size as the hollow center of said rolled tissue, a substantially cylindrical side wall and a bottom forming a used tissue chamber substantially the same diameter as said container and supporting said dispenser thereon, and means for supporting said roll of tissue above said chamber with the chamber in communication with the opening through said core,

5. In a combination dispenser for rolled tissue with a hollow center and a receptacle for used tissue: a substantially cylindrical side wall forming a container for the rolled tissue, a pair of disc-shaped end plates adapted to be secured to the ends of the rolled tissue and movable therewith and having a hole in the center of substantially the same size as the hollow center of said rolled tissue, a substantially cylindrical sidewall and a bottom forming a used tissue chamber substantially the same diameter as said container and supporting said dispenser thereon, and means for supporting said roll of tissue above said chamber with the chamber in communication with the opening through said hollow center,

6. In a combination dispenser for rolled tissue with a hollow center and a receptacle for used tissue: a substantially cylindrical side wall forming a container for the rolled tissue, a pair of disc-shaped end plates adapted to be secured to the ends of the rolled tissue and movable therewith and having a hole in the center of substantially the same size as the hollow center of said rolled tissue, a substantially cylindrical side Wall and a bottom forming a used tissue chamber substantially the same diameter as said container and supporting said dispenser thereon, and a partition disposed between said chamber and said dispenser having an annular flange projecting inwardly for receiving one of said end plates and supporting said roll of tissue above said chamber with the chamber in communication with the opening through said hollow center.

7. In a combination dispenser for rolled tissue with a tubular core and a receptacle for used tissue: a substantially cylindrical side wall forming a container for the rolled tissue and having a round open top, a plurality of spaced vertically positioned slots in said side wall of a length substantially equal to the width of the rolled tissue, a pair of disc-shaped end plates for the roll and having a hole in the center of substantially the same size as the hole through said core, and a plurality of spaced prongs on each of said end plates adjacent the edge of the respective center hole therein but spaced outwardly therefrom to form a shoulder for the end of said core for extending into said rolled tissue between said core and the inner layer of tissue, said end plates being ofsmaller diameter than the opening in the top of said container to provide an annular dispenser slot therein.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS MERVIN STEIN, Primary Examiner. 

4. A COMBINATION DISPENSER FOR ROLLED TISSUE WITH A HOLLOW CENTER ND A RECEPTACLE FOR USED TISSUE, COMPRISING A SUBSTANTIALLY CYLINDRICAL SIDE WALL FORMING A CONTAINER FOR THE ROLLED TISSUES, A PLURALITY OF SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY VERTICALLY POSITIONED SLOTS IN SAID SIDE WALL, A PAIR OF DISC-SHAPED END PLATES ADAPTED TO BE SECURED TO THE ENDS OF THE ROLLED TISSUE AND MOVABLE THEREWITH AND HAVING A HOLE IN THE CENTER OF SUBSTANTIALLY THE SAME SIZE AS THE HOLLOW CENTER OF SAID ROLLED TISSUE, A SUB- 